Ginger–the plant, not the hair color–lends its fiery nature to teas and magical workings.
3 things to remember about Ginger
- Small amounts aid digestion, but too much is too much. Use in moderation.
- Use fresh ginger rather than dried ginger in teas and concoctions to avoid stomach irritation
- If you use blood thinners or have a blood disorder, use with caution as ginger may thin the blood.
Magic:
- Ginger can add passion to a relationship or speed up any spell, bringing the desired result with fiery speed. Add ginger root (actually a rhizome), ground ginger, and rose petals (put this in a muslin or cheesecloth bag so you don’t have to strain it through your teeth) to warmed wine. Let it steep and share with your lover.
- Grow ginger to attract money. Sprinkle powdered ginger in your pockets or on money to draw more money. Bury a ginger root by your front door to attract money. Why do I always find these things out months after I need them?
- Ginger expels demons. Baking gingerbread men may have its roots (see what I did there?) in a kind of exorcism.
- Ginger also adds fun and life, another possible origin of the gingerbread man since that little guy in the story was essentially a poppet which contained ginger, a life-giving, dynamic substance.
- The whole Gingerbread Man story is ripe with metaphor and not just a little disturbing. Ginger was used in pagan and early Christian religious services and baked into poppets representing deities, then consumed to imbue the participants with the attributes of the deity. Hmmm.
Grimoire Notes: Mars, Fire
Health and Healing:
- Drink Ginger tea to treat nausea, morning sickness, motion sickness, and inflammation.
- A steaming cup of ginger tea can also alleviate congestion.
- Soak a cloth in ginger tea and apply to a sore spot to alleviate pain.
Recipes:
- 4 cups of water and a 2-inch piece of fresh ginger root. Peel the ginger root and slice it into thin slices. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan and add the ginger. Cover it and reduce to a simmer for 15-20 minutes. Strain the tea. Add honey and lemon to taste.
- Another way is to toss ginger in the blender and grind it into small chunks—not pulverized, but nicely diced. Put in a jar, cover with honey. Put a teaspoon in a cup and cover with hot water. Let it steep for three or four minutes. Store the ginger and honey in the fridge.
- Pinch of peppermint, pinch of powdered ginger, pinch of cloves (or two crushed cloves). Pour boiling water over it and drink.
